Why would Italy international Leonardo Bonucci fit perfectly into Jose Mourinho’s system?

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The revolution of The Special One is well and truly underway this summer at Old Trafford with Jose Mourinho having already secured lucrative deals for Borussia Dortmund’s Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the mercurial talent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain. And yet although under Louis Van Gaal last season the United defence conceded the joint-lowest amount of goals in the division with 35 (level with Tottenham Hotspur), Mourinho has even set his sights on improving the defence in order to craft a team capable of playing out from the back within his possession-based style of play, but also one able to play contain-and-counter against better quality opposition.

To this end, the club have already recruited Villarreal’s Eric Bailly and are believed to be in pursuit of Juventus’ Italy international stalwart, Leonardo Bonucci.

Bonucci has once again attracted the attention of potential suitors after an impressive showing at Euro 2016, where having played at the heart of the defence in a 3-5-2 system for Antonio Conte’s Italy, he used his freedom to roam forward and showcased his talent not only with a string of strong defensive performances but also in coming out of defence and playing the ball forward. One such example included a superb defence-splitting pass from deep which played in Emanuele Giaccherini for Italy’s opening goal of the championships against Belgium in a 2-0 victory, one which compatriot Andrea Pirlo would have been proud of. It is performances like this which may just leave a wanting glint in the eyes of the Special One as he looks to recruit players to add to his rear-guard who will fit into the way he wants to play.

Although Mourinho often opts for a traditional back four rather than the three-man defence Bonucci is used to with Juventus and Italy, a ball playing centre half like the Italian in the same vein as a figure like John Terry is absolutely necessary for Mourinho’s typically cast-iron defences, having worked with players such as Ricardo Carvalho, Lucio, Marco Materazzi, Walter Samuel, Raphael Varane and Pepe in the past who all fit the same bill.

Bonucci is strong aerially and a powerful physical presence in both boxes, as well as fulfilling the needs of the modern centre-half, his pace enabling him to help sweep the back line and his eye for a pass giving him scope to come out of defence to play the ball forward. His anticipation and strong reading of the game means he is seldom found wanting in possession when he opts to bring play forward, and such a reliable rock in the heart of defence will be vital when Mourinho’s United are required to contain and play from the back, particularly on the counter.

At 29-years of age, having won 62 caps for his country and secured five consecutive domestic titles for the Old Lady, Bonucci’s experience may well be critical in how he’d fit into Mourinho’s side.

With a host of young defenders including Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Paddy McNair, and the futures of Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind increasingly uncertain, the Italian may prove the ideal mentor for United’s young players in defence and indeed for new recruit Eric Bailly.  That is not only down to what his style of play can teach United’s aspiring youngsters, but also in his big-game experience and ability to marshall the defence when under pressure on the biggest occasions.

Regarding his contribution to the attack, his long range passing would now have the ideal target at United, with a strong, spearhead forward to hold the ball up and finish such opportunities who can be talked about in the breadth of world class attacking players; this coming in the shape of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Although United haven’t been known for playing long, when the opportunity comes to play long balls in from deep, although Bonucci may not lay golden chances on a plate from the edge of his own box or from within in his own half, playing forward to a strong player, back to goal who can hold up the ball such as Ibrahimovic, may prove vital in helping United get forward quickly and relieve pressure in games where they find themselves penned in for long periods. Such is typical of Mourinho’s teams in the big games, where they are tactically drilled to contain all opposing pressure and take the opportunities when they come.

Though when Manchester United have the scope to play possession football and look to dominate against opposing teams, Bonucci’s ball-playing technique also renders him a comfortable component of such a set-up. Playing alongside another capable centre-half in Chris Smalling, Bonucci would be given the freedom that he enjoys even in a more spaced out four-man defence to come forward whilst Smalling sits deep, and vice versa if the Englishman wishes to play out from the back.

Furthermore, if Mourinho opts to deploy Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick of Morgan Schneiderlin in a deep-lying midfield role to screen his back-line, akin to the Claude Makelele figure at Chelsea in his first spell, this would only take the shackles off Bonucci further and allow him to bring his best attributes to the fore at Old Trafford. Playing alongside compatriot Matteo Darmian who likes to add width by getting up the pitch to join the attack can only benefit United also. The experience of the two in playing together may well pay dividends defensively when necessary too.

Having already splashed out £30m on Bailly this summer, it is unknown as to whether the Old Trafford club will be willing to match Juve’s £50m valuation of the player, particularly with the club already prepared to commit £100m to the cause of signing Paul Pogba from the Italian giants also. If United do table a bid, they would be bidding for a defender who would fit perfectly into Mourinho’s defence and render the Red Devils a frightening prospect to break down. A lot rests on the fate of Pogba, but it is not out of the equation, and this transfer saga may well be one to keep an eye on.

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